Eupedia Community

Connacht

Dunguaire Castle at sunset.

Introduction

The province of Connacht (Connachta in Irish, formerly anglicised as Connaught) was named after the Connachta dynasty, who claimed descent from the mythical Conn of the Hundred Battles, High King of Ireland. The name Connachta means "the descendants of Conn". Connacht is tradtionally described as the kingdom of learning and the home of the greatest and wisest druids and magicians. Men from Connacht are famed for their eloquence, their handsomeness and their ability to pronounce true judgement. In 1874 Queen Victoria granted the title Duke of Connaught to her third son, Prince Arthur.

Expanding on 17,788 km2 (6,867 sq mi) and with a mere 542,000 inhabitants, Connacht is the smallest and least populous Irish province. It was the last province to come under English rule, and the one where Irish Gaelic is the most widely spoken today, particularly in County Galway, where half of the population has at least some ability in the language.

Famous people from Connacht include (chronologically): the politician and animal rights activist Richard Martin, the chemist William Higgins, and the scholar and first President of Ireland Douglas Hyde. The clan of the O'Conors, descend from the Kings of Connacht and last High King of Ireland. The O'Conor Don (Ó Conchubhair Donn), the hereditary clan's chief, is still the titular Prince of Connacht and claiment to the High Kingship of Ireland.